Euthanasia bill defeated in South Australia

17 November 2016

Speaker Michael Atkinson cast the deciding vote to defeat the bill

A bid to legalise euthanasia in South Australia has been defeated- by a single vote.

The "Death with Dignity" bill was the fifteenth attempt to change the law at South Australia's state parliament, but only the second time debate had reached such an advanced stage. MPs spent five hours debating the legislation, finally holding a vote at around 4am.

MPs were given a conscience vote and were evenly divided 23 in support and 23 in favour, meaning Speaker Michael Atkinson cast the deciding vote to defeat the bill.